Battle King

Next came the registration. As the young receptionist worked at her computer, she asked for his name, phone number, and Pokémon.

After finishing, she handed Liu Bin a receipt. "This is your number. Once the examination is complete, the corresponding number will appear on the broadcast screen in the lobby."

"When it's called, just go to the collection room next door and pick up your Poké Ball according to the number."

"Oh, right. One examination costs 100 yuan. QR code or cash?"

Liu Bin took out his phone. "QR code."

After paying, Liu Bin said shyly, "Thanks, sis," then sat with Jiang Jing on the lobby chairs to wait.

Jiang Jing had not expected Liu Bin to become so shy around a pretty receptionist. It did not fit his outgoing personality at all.

Sitting in the chair, Liu Bin said, "Damn, an examination costs a hundred yuan? What do they even use to check them?"

Jiang Jing said, "I read online that the equipment at Pokémon Centers is incredibly expensive. A single machine costs several million yuan or more."

"If they didn't charge much, they'd never recover the costs."

"But it really is expensive. A checkup is already a hundred yuan, so treatment must cost four or five hundred, right?"

"This young man is right. Even the cheapest treatment costs five hundred." A voice suddenly came from behind them.

The two turned around and saw a handsome young man sitting behind them. He wore a white tracksuit and had a crew cut. His eyes were especially bright and lively.

Liu Bin narrowed his eyes, studied him for a moment, and suddenly realized something. "You're Qian!"

Then he said to Jiang Jing, "Jing, this is Qian, the guy I always tell you about."

"The Battle King—the strongest trainer in all of Battle Park."

Only when Battle King was mentioned did Jiang Jing remember who he was. The Battle King of Battle Park—just from the title, it was obvious that he was the strongest presence in Pokémon battles there.

Qian was exactly that kind of person. He had only been an amateur trainer. In high school, he had studied science rather than Spirit Studies, and in university, he had majored in computer science. He had only begun Pokémon training after graduating.

After arriving at Battle Park, he had continuously challenged opponents, defeating one famous amateur trainer after another. He had even later beaten professional trainers. His strength became recognized as the best in Battle Park, earning him the title of Battle King.

Liu Bin especially liked Qian and loved talking about his exploits, so Jiang Jing could hardly avoid knowing about him.

Liu Bin said excitedly, "Qian, I'm your fan! My name's Liu Bin."

Qian smiled. "Thanks for the support, but let's not talk about that Battle King title anymore. It's too embarrassing."

Liu Bin said, "That nickname is so badass. You totally deserve it. I'm going to come up with an awesome nickname for myself someday too."

Jiang Jing also stepped forward to greet him. "Qian, I'm Jiang Jing. A-Bin really likes you. He talks about you at school all the time, but we've never seen you at Battle Park."

Qian said, "Sorry about that. I started a company recently, so I've been pretty busy. Even going to Battle Park takes time I have to squeeze out."

"Oh, and your Aron is pretty good. I saw it a few days ago, so I remember it."

Jiang Jing was a little surprised. He had not fought many battles at Battle Park, yet Qian had still remembered him.

The three of them then began chatting amicably. Most of the time, though, Liu Bin and Qian did the talking while Jiang Jing listened nearby, only occasionally joining in.

Through their conversation, they learned that Qian had recently been setting up a Douyin account. He was planning to make content, and today he had gone out to film a battle video with someone before coming here for an examination.

Jiang Jing thought it was a good path. Qian could absolutely become an influencer trainer, start livestreaming, run ads, and earn far more than ordinary people.

There were quite a few influencer trainers like that on Douyin. Jiang Jing liked watching them and followed several himself.

At the same time, Qian also gained a general understanding of Liu Bin and Jiang Jing.

When he learned that Jiang Jing and Liu Bin would enter Spirit Studies next semester, he gave them quite a few suggestions and training methods, leaving both of them deeply grateful.

Their conversation did not end until Qian's Pokémon had finished its treatment. Liu Bin was still reluctant to leave, so he suggested adding Qian as a friend. Jiang Jing added him too.

After leaving the Pokémon Center, Liu Bin looked exceptionally happy. "I never thought we'd run into Qian today. It was totally worth it."

"When I get back, I'm going to learn from Qian properly and train hard. I'll increase Shinx's training intensity. Jiang Jing, next time you see me, it'll be when I challenge you again."

Jiang Jing said, "Then you'd better work hard. Otherwise, you won't even be able to see my taillights by then."

After taking an afternoon nap, Jiang Jing let Aron train by itself. If it got tired, it could play with Pikachu and Jigglypuff. He put on his backpack and headed out.

This time, he was going to two places: Cerulean Supermarket and a scrap recycling yard.

The first place he was going was the scrap recycling shop. There was one two kilometers away from Taiyu Residential Complex.

After taking the bus for half an hour, he got off and walked another fifty meters to reach it.

It was near a residential area. Further ahead was an urban village, and the areas before and after it seemed like two entirely different worlds.

From the entrance onward, every building looked old and dirty from the outside. Even the air seemed covered in a layer of dust, filled with a dull, lonely atmosphere.

After going inside for twenty meters and turning a corner, he saw the biggest shop on the left. Its sign read: Victory Scrap Recycling.

The surroundings were crammed with every sort of scrap—piles of drink bottles, broken furniture, steel bars, and construction-site parts. A Grimer could even be seen among the junk.

This was Jiang Jing's destination. He had chosen this place because his father knew the owner, and the two could be considered old friends.

The moment he entered, he saw a man in casual clothes, his outfit stained with grime.

When the man saw Jiang Jing, he asked, "Who are you looking for? Here to sell scrap?"

Jiang Jing said, "I'm looking for the owner."

The man turned around and shouted into the room, "Boss, someone's looking for you!"

Before long, a plump middle-aged man in slippers emerged. Just from his round face and large ears, it was obvious he was well-off.

This was the owner of Victory Scrap Recycling—Chen Dahai.

Though the place looked filthy and shabby, and scrap collection seemed dirty and exhausting on the surface, it actually brought in quite a bit of money. Annual income could easily reach at least a million yuan.

When Chen Dahai saw Jiang Jing, he grinned. "Young Boss Jiang, what brings you here?" Then he pulled out a pack of cigarettes, took one out, and offered it to him.

Jiang Jing waved his hand. "Just call me Jiang Jing. I don't smoke."

"Oh, right. I came today to recycle Aron droppings."

Chen Dahai's eyes lit up. "Really? Where are they?"

Jiang Jing set down his backpack and pulled out a transparent sealed bag. It was filled with black, pebble-like pieces, enough to fill a large bag.

Chen Dahai took the sealed bag, opened it and sniffed it, then grabbed a little and held it beneath his nose for another sniff.